Display stand



Patented Aug. 31, 1937 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE r aosusev I e DISPLAY STANDV I Harry-.AnMartin, Chicago, 111."

Application August 5, 1936 Serial No. 94,436

4 Claims.

" My invention relates to display stands, and

I more particularly to those which are heated or warmed in order tomaintain their contents in proper condition, and my main object is to provide a novel heating means for portable nut stands usually seen on counters in stores, amusement places and other establishments catering to the public.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heating means which distributes the heat uniformly, in order that all the goods maybe reached and kept fresh.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a heating unit which is conveniently housed within the stand and so concealed as to be invisible from the outside.

7 Another object of the invention is to provide a heating unit which is extremely compact and occupies a space'heretofore wasted in stands'o the portable type.

An additional'object of the invention is to 'design the novel heating unit along lines of simplicity and economy.

With the above objects in-view, and any others which may suggest the'mselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved display stand loaded with the goods;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation, partly broken away, of the display stand without the goods; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

My invention deals particularly with that variety of display stands which are rotatable to enable the patron to pick the kind of nuts or other commodity carried in bags around the outside of the stand.

Stands of this kind are not fundamentally new, and according to the drawing are characterized by a base in from which rises a central post II. On this post is centered for free rotation a skeleton frame I2 having the general formation of a polygonal prism whereby to present sections l2a to the outside. These sections are adapted to receive vertical cards l3 which carry series of Cellophane bags M in vertically-overlapping order. Each card carries a different variety of nut or other commodity, and the frame is turned by the patron to the kindwanted.

In the novel embodiment, the post II .is not continuous, but is divided to permit the interposition of a looped support I5 formed from a sturdy, single piece of cast metal. The sections (01. sea-2'6) of the post 'I I screw into the upper and lower ends of the support'and are secured by nuts I6 and I1. The lower section of the post rises through the support to receive an electrical socket l8 and lamp l9, it being understood that the saidlower post section is tubular'to' permit the passage of a current supply cord 20 to the lamp.

The display frame I2 is centered with upper and lower bearings IZb and I 20 on the sections of the post, these, bearings being adjusted to permit the free rotation of the frame. The outer portion of the frame is deflected downwardly from the lower bearing by the use of inclined spider arms l2d, so that the post section will be concealed when the frame is loaded with the display cards. i

In providing the lamp within the frame 12, it is my purpose to create and pass sufficient heat to the goods to counteract the deteriorating infiuence of atmospheric moi'sturethereon. De-

spite the useof sealed Cellophane bags for varieties of nuts, moisture penetratesthem to'render the nuts soggy and cause them tobecome rancid and stale-tasting in a short time, particularly in warm weather. This condition affects the lower sets of bags to a greater extent, since the upper bags are the ones that are first sold and pulled off. Therefore, my improvement deals not only with the heating or warming of the goods to the extent of becoming immune to moisture, but also to distribute the heat to all of the goods.

In carrying out the above idea, I apply a pair of sheet metal trays 2| and 22 to the upper and lower post sections respectively. The trays are marginally flanged at 21c and 22a, the flange 2Ia being downward, and the flange 22a being upward. Also, the tray 2| is of a larger diameter than the tray 22.

A cylindrical tube 23 of oiled paper board is fitted up into the tray 2| and depends downwardly therefrom; and a smaller tube 24 of the same character is disposed within the tube 23 and fitted to rest in the tray 22. The tubes 23 and 24 overlap to a limited degree. While the tube 24 maintains its position by its weight, the tube 23 is secured in any suitable manner to the tray 2|. As an illustration, the securing clip 25 shown may be employed. This clip is a wire extending over the tray and formed with terminal hook bends 25a which seat in eyelet-reinforced perforations 25b made in the sides of the tube 23. The wire 25 is medially crossed and looped at 250 to give it some tension when engaged as in Fig. 3. Of course, when the tube 23 is to be dropped, such as for the renewal of the lamp to create a downward passage for the escape of heat, so that the lower bags not only receive the heat generated in the tube 24 but also the'warm air escaping from the tube 23. My experiments with a stand constructed as described have thoroughly and consistently demonstrated the action just mentioned by retaining the freshness and quality of the lower goods for many days or as long as it requires for them to be sold.

In conclusion it will be evident that the improvement described above is an important addition to display stands of the type under con- 5 sideration. While it performs its function to keep the goods fresh, it is fully concealed from View and does not detract from the appearance or accessibility of the stand and its goods. In fact, it forms an added attraction by creating a downward glow from the light passing through the oiled paper board, so that a soft light is spread and diffused over the base ID. Further, the heating unit occupies a space which was formerly Wasted, putting the same to a beneficial use. Further, the support [5 lends the stand rigidity and resists tendencies to draw or knock the post sections or display frame out of alinement. Still, the improvement is of a nature to be simply constructed, easily assembled and handled,

40 and economically operated.

While I have described the invention along the specific lines shown, the same is susceptible of various changes and refinements, and I desire to include such changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:--

1. In a rotatable refreshment stand, an internal heating unit to maintain the goods carried by the stand in proper condition, and means to distribute the heat to both the upper and lower portions of the goods, said means comprising a vertical tube about the lower portion of the heat unit and a larger tube about the upper portion thereof and overlapping the first-mentioned tube.

2. In a rotatable refreshment stand, an internal heating unit to maintain thegoods carried by the stand in proper condition, and means to distribute the heat to both the upper and lower portions of the goods, said means comprising a cup-like tube about the lower portion of the heat unit, and an inverted cup-like tube about the upper portion thereof, the second mentioned tube being'concentrically enlarged about and overlapping the first mentioned tube.

*3. In a rotatable refreshment stand, an internal heating unit to maintain the goods carried by the stand in proper condition and means to distribute the heat to both the upper and lower portions of the goods, a vertical post divided into upper and lower portions and forming an axis for the rotation of the stand, trays carried by the respective post portions and having marginal flanges directed toward each other, the upper tray being of a larger diameter than the lower, and vertical tubes fitted in the flanges of the respective trays and overlapping with their inner ends. I

4. In a rotatable refreshment stand, an internal heating unit to maintain the goods carried by the stand in proper condition, and means to distribute thev heat to both the upper and lower portions of the goods, a vertical post divided into upper and lower portions and forming an axis for the rotation of the stand, trays carried by the respective post portions and having marginal flanges directed toward each other, the upper tray being of a larger diameter than the lower, and vertical tubes fitted in the flanges of the respective trays and overlapping with their inner ends, saidtubes being of a translucent material.

. HARRY A. MARTIN. 

